Collapsible fttotel



Patented J 11116 3, 1919.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY HIL' Nmems p: rERs ca. mmrauma. WASHINGMN, n. c.

WILBUR J OE SMITH, 0F COLDWATER, KANSAS.

COLLAESIBLE FUNNEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

fiatentedJnne 3, H519 Application filed July 13, 1917. Serial No. 180,420.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVlLBUR Jon SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goldwater, in the county of Comanche and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Funnels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in funnels and the principal object of the invention is to make the funnel collapsible so it will occupy but little space when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a metal frame work with a covering of Water proof material secured thereto, with means for reducing the diameter of the flaring top of the funnel.

A further object of the invention is to place a metal ring around the bottom of the funnel to engage with the filling opening of the reservoir to be filled by the funnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and eiiicient in operation and one which can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view partly in section of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the frame work with the arts in folded position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail showing the means for connecting the ends of the top ring together.

In these figures, 1 represents a cylindrical ring forming the bottom of the funnel while 2 represents the split top ring which is made of spring metal and tends to curl up upon itself, as shown in Fig. 3. The rings 1 and 2 are connected together by the brace strips 3, which have their lower ends pivoted to the ring 1 and have loops 4 at their upper ends to receive the ring 2, which loops are formed by bending the ends of the strips over, offsetting their terminals and riveting them to the body of the strips. I form a socket 5 on one end of the ring 2 which is adapted to receive the other end of the ring so as to hold the said ring in expanded position, as shown in Fig. 1. The loops 4: loosely engage the ring 2 so as to permit free movement of said ring. The frame work consistmg of the rings and strips, carries a covering 6 of water proof material and the lower end of this covering is secured to a ring 7 which 18 secured in any desired manner to the ring 1 and at its upper end said covering is secured to the ring 2 in any suitable manner, preferably by forming a casing 6 at said end to receive said ring as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

The device may be used as an ordinary funnel and the ring 1 Will prevent wear of the cover by preventing the same from contacting with the filling opening. After the device has been used the end of the ring 2 is removed from the socket 5 so as to permit the ring to close to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ring sliding through the cover casing 6 and through the loops 4 will cause the cover to gather on said ring, after which the funnel may be placed in a bag and placed under the seat of an automobile or in any other suitable place.

It, will be seen that the spring ring 2 in its closed position is of substantially the same diameter as the ring 1, so that a cylindrical body is formed which is much more easily carried about than one of funnel shape.

It is thought from the foregoing that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make slight changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A funnel comprising a bottom ring and a split top ring made of spring metal, means for holding said split ring in expanded position, and a covering carried by said rings.

2. A funnel comprising a lower ring and a split top ring made of spring metal, means for holding said split ring in expanded position, braces connecting said rings together and a flexible cover connected to said rings.

3. A funnel comprising a lower ring and a split top ring 'rnade of spring metal, one for receiving thetop ring and a flexible cov- 10 end of said split rlng havmg a socket formed ering oar'riedby' said parts.

thereon to receive the other end and a cover- In testimony whereof I affix my signature ing cgnifiectedl to said rings. 1 "d in presence" oftwo Witnesses.

4t. unne com risin a ower rin an a split top ring Ima e of siring metal, greens WILBUR JOE SMITH for holding said split ring in expanded posi- Witnesses: tion, bracing strips secured to the lower ring J S. Norms, and having loops formed at their u p p er ends J. .P. TAyron Copies of this patent may be obtained for five c ent s each, by addressing the Qo mrnissioner of Patents, 'wa i liingfton, 11. 02 

